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Yesterday, the Reds nearly acquired a pitching prospect with a bum arm and an outfielder named Bubba. While this synchs with their track record over the past fifteen years, it may not be what we expected in return for Johnny Cueto. That notwithstanding, the Reds will take the field with Saturday's would-be starter and universal killjoy, Michael Lorenzen.
Lorenzen will make his fourteenth start of the year and his MLB career on Sunday. After impressing many early on in the season, he has struggled a bit over his past 4 appearances where he has gotten out of the 6th inning in only one of those starts. He still holds a 3.77 ERA for the season with a concerning WHIP of 1.507 and FIP of 5.51. Lorenzen last pitched against the Rockies on May 26 and pitched 7 innings of 1 run ball where he struck out 3 and walked 3.
Colorado will start 30 year-old Kyle Kendrick against the Reds on Sunday. The former Phillie has been objectively awful in 2015 with a fitting record of 3-11 and an ERA of 6.12 in 19 starts. In 107 innings, he has already given up 24 home runs. And, if you want to say Coors Field is a factor, 10 of those home runs have been on the road. Like Lorenzen, he has a WHIP north of 1.500 and is averaging less than 5 strikeouts every 9 innings.
In 34 plate appearances against Kendrick, Skip Schumaker, of all people, has an OPS of .915 with 10 hits including 2 home runs and 2 doubles. Jay Bruce has also homered twice against Kendrick in his career, coming in 20 at bats. Meanwhile, Joey Votto has assembled 6 hits in 18 at bats including a home run and 2 doubles. Hopefully the Reds can have a Sunday feast of Kyle Kendrick meatballs.
The Reds won't play until 4:10 Eastern, giving them plenty of time to inform their players before pending roster moves. If this occurs, be sure to tell C. Trent Rosecrans to have a great day! Go Reds!
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Bullpen Log
| Reliever | 7/21 | 7/22 | 7/23 | 7/24 | 7/25 | 5 day totals |
| Aroldis Chapman | 1.0, 26p | 0.1, 3p | 1.1, 29 pitches | |||
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Ryan Mattheus |
1.0, 18p | 0.2, 9p | 1.2, 27 pitches |
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Burke Badenhop |
1.0, 26p | 1.0, 26 pitches |
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Nate Adcock |
2.0, 30p | 2.0, 30 pitches |
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Dylan Axelrod |
2.0, 33p | 2.0, 33 pitches |
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Pedro Villarreal |
4.1, 47p | 4.1, 47 pitches |
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| J.J. Hoover | 1.0, 30p | 1.0, 21p | 2.0, 51 pitches | |||
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1.1, 22p | 1.0, 21p | 0.2, 15p | 3.0, 58 pitches |